Collapsible Hammock and Umbrella Assembly

ABSTRACT

A collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly. The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly has a hammock frame and an umbrella. The hammock frame includes a horizontal support, a pair of angled supports, a cross-brace, and a plurality of feet to provide a structure to which a hammock bed can be supported. The horizontal support and the pair of angled supports each further include a hinge at a midpoint thereof, and the cross-brace further includes a plurality of hinges, to enable the frame to fold and collapse into a storage configuration. A distal end of one of the pair of angled supports has an umbrella support ring which can receive a shaft of an umbrella to enable a user to removably secure the umbrella to the hammock frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/863,356 filed on Jun. 19, 2019. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hammocks and hammock support structures. More particularly, the present invention provides for a collapsible and storage-friendly hammock support that can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, that can also removably secure an umbrella thereto.

Relaxing in a hammock where the user can enjoy fresh aft and cool shade can be extremely comfortable for many individuals while they are outdoors. The ability to lay down while reading a book or enjoying a nap, all while protected from the sun's damaging ultraviolet radiation, is highly desirable. Installing a hammock typically requires tying two ends of the hammock netting to a pair of adjacent trees. These trees must be spaced at a specific distance away from each other to accommodate the length of the hammock netting and ties. If the trees are too dose, or too far apart, or if trees are not available at all, using a hammock may not be possible. Additionally, a hammock that is improperly secured may fail or be swept away by strong winds.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to hammocks and hammock support structures. These include devices that have been patented and disclosed in patent application publications. However, the devices in the known art have several drawbacks. Some people use free-standing support structures, but these structures cannot be disassembled and are heavy. Transporting such structures is not practical and thus these structures do not lend themselves to travel. Some hammock support structures collapse on themselves, but are not easily separable, and may require significant effort to enable the structure to collapse. Some hammock support structures are separable, but are flimsy, do not provide a solid structure, and lack the ability to secure an umbrella thereto which can provide much desired shade to the user.

The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is dear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing hammocks and hammock support structures. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hammocks and hammock support structures now present in the art, the present invention provides a collapsible and storage-friendly hammock support that can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, that can also removably secure an umbrella thereto. The present collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly has a hammock frame and an umbrella. The hammock frame includes a horizontal support, a pair of angled supports, a cross-brace, and a plurality of feet to provide a structure to which a hammock bed can be supported. The horizontal support and the pair of angled supports each further comprise a hinge at a midpoint thereof, and the cross-brace further comprises a plurality of hinges, to enable the frame to fold and collapse into a storage configuration. A distal end of one of the pair of angled supports has an umbrella support ring which can receive a shaft of an umbrella to enable a user to removably secure the umbrella to the hammock frame.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly in a deployed position receiving a hammock and umbrella thereon.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly in a deployed position without a hammock bed.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly, with a focus on the manner in which the hammock bed and the collapsible umbrella removably secure to the hammock frame.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly in a folded position disposed on a user's back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly. For the purposes of presenting a brief and dear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly in a deployed position receiving a hammock and umbrella thereon. The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly 100 comprises a hammock frame 110 and an umbrella 120. In some embodiments, a hammock bed 130 is custom made to be removably securable to the hammock frame 110. In other embodiments, the hammock frame 110 can receive a standard hammock bed 130 via hammock rings as further detailed below. In some embodiments, the hammock frame 110 is tubular thereby enabling different components of the frame to interconnect by sliding one component with a first diameter into a second component, wherein the second component has a smaller diameter than the first component. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand how different diameter tubular components can be utilized to removably secure one component to another via friction fit. In the shown embodiment, the hammock frame 110 comprises round tubular members that interconnect via a series of brackets. However, in other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the hammock frame 110 comprises both round and square tubular members that interconnect via a series of brackets and quick release apertures and complementary pins. It is contemplated by the present disclosure that both solid and hollow members can make up the hammock frame 110.

The hammock frame 110 comprises a horizontal support 140 that is connected to a pair of angled supports 150, at least one cross-brace 160, and a plurality of support legs. In one embodiment, the horizontal support 140 is disposed on a horizontal axis and the at least two angled supports 150 are disposed on a vertical axis. In some embodiments, the at least two support legs are disposed on a horizontal axis of the angled supports 150, such that each support leg of the at least two support legs is oriented horizontally orthogonal to the horizontal support 140 and vertically orthogonal to the at least two angled supports 150.

In the shown embodiment, the hammock frame 110 comprises a horizontal support 140 connected to at least two angled supports 150, at least two support legs, and a pair of cross-braces 160. Further, in some embodiments, the support legs further comprise support feet 171. In the shown embodiment, a shaft 170 of the support legs is disposed perpendicular to the horizontal support 140. The support feet 171 are disposed perpendicular to the shaft 170 of the support legs and parallel to the horizontal support 140. In this manner, the support legs have a wider footprint thereby providing greater stability to the hammock frame 110.

The cross-braces 160 are configured to connect a middle portion 145 of the horizontal support 150 to a middle portion 155 of the angled supports 150. Connecting the middle portions 145, 155 to each other provides added stability to the hammock frame 110. Some hammock support devices in the present art interconnect the framework via distal ends of the component parts. This configuration is prone to failure more easily as the joints between the parts undergo added stress and wear over the lifespan of the device. In contrast, the present invention eases those stresses and distributes the stress over the entire length of the horizontal support 140 and angled support 150. In this manner, the terminal ends of those components 140, 150 have added strength, stability, and lifespan.

In various embodiments, the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly 100 is configured to move between an expanded configuration where the hammock frame 110 provides maximum stability to a hammock bed 130 secured thereto, and a collapsed configuration, where the hammock frame 110 takes up the least amount of space and can be more easily transported from one location to another. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the component parts of the hammock frame 110 are configured to pivot in relation to each other and fold flat to form the storage configuration. In other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the component parts of the hammock frame 110 are configured to be secured to each other via quick release mechanisms, such that the component parts can be quickly assembled and disassembled. When assembled, the hammock frame 110 is formed in an expanded configuration, and when disassembled, the hammock frame 110 can be stored in a bag or other convenient storage and carrying means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the at least two angled supports 150 are adapted to collapse inwardly toward each other. In some embodiments, the cross-braces 160 further comprise hinges thereby enabling such a folding of the angled supports 150. In other embodiments, a distal end of the cross-brace 160 can be removed from receptacles disposed on the angled supports 150 and the horizontal support 140 thereby enabling the angled supports 150 to fold down against the horizontal support 140. Similarly, the at least two support legs 170 are configured to collapse against the at least two angled supports 150. By collapsing the angled supports 150 and support legs 170 against the horizontal support 140 via these means, or other flexible connections, the hammock frame 110 can be collapsed into the storage configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly in a deployed position without a hammock bed. In the shown embodiment, the hammock frame further comprises a pair of support junctions 200. Each of the pair of support junctions 200 is configured to removably receive at least one end of the plurality of support legs 170, at least one end of the horizontal support 140, and at least one end of the angled supports 150 therein. In the shown embodiment, the support junction 200 comprises four angled members, wherein each of the members have a diameter that is smaller than the component to which it is secured to. In a further embodiment, terminal ends of the plurality of support legs 170, the horizontal support 140, and the angled supports 150 are hollow. In this manner, the support legs 170, horizontal support 140, and angled supports 150 can all slide over a respective member of the support junction 200 and be secured thereon by friction. When so secured, the components 140, 150, 170 form the basic framework for the hammock frame in an expanded configuration. The hammock bed is also removably securable to the hammock frame (as further detailed below). When the horizontal support 140, angled supports 150, support legs 170, cross-brace 160, support junctions 200, and hammock bed are separated, the hammock frame and hammock bed can be stored together in a collapsed configuration. In this manner, the device is configured to be collapsed for transport when in a folded configuration and expanded into a deployed position.

In the shown embodiment, the horizontal support 140 and the pair of angled supports 150 each further comprise a hinge 210 at a midpoint thereof. The cross-brace 160 also further comprises at least one hinge 210. These hinges 210 enable the horizontal support 140 and the angled supports 150 to be folded in against themselves, thereby reducing the length of each of the parts, to make storage thereof even easier. In some embodiments, quick release mechanisms, comprising quick release apertures and complementary pins, are utilized to enable a user to lock a component in an expanded configuration. In one embodiment, the horizontal support 140 is secured to the cross-brace 160 by at least one quick release mechanism. In another embodiment, the pair of angled supports 150 each are secured to the cross-brace 160 by at least one quick release mechanism. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand how quick release mechanisms allow for easy connections and disassembly of various component parts to each other.

In some embodiments, brackets and receptacles are utilized to receive terminal ends of component parts in order to hold the component parts more securely and stably in place. Such brackets can also utilize quick release mechanisms to enable the user to assemble and disassemble the hammock frame more quickly. In one embodiment, each of the pair of angled supports 150 includes a cross-brace receptacle 151, wherein the cross-brace receptacle 151 is configured to removably secure at least one terminal end of the cross-brace 160 therein. In the shown embodiment, the cross-brace 160 further comprises a pair of support rails 161, wherein each of the support rails 161 are pivotally connected to a cross-brace bracket 162. In a further embodiment, each of the support rails 161 comprise a hinge 210 such that the support rails 161 can be folded into a storage configuration. The cross-brace bracket 162 can be utilized to secure the cross-brace 160 to the horizontal support 140. In a further embodiment, the cross-brace bracket 162 can include quick release mechanisms to further enable the user to quickly and easily removably secure the cross-brace 160 to the horizontal support 140.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly, with a focus on the manner in which the hammock bed and the collapsible umbrella removably secure to the hammock frame. Each of the pair of angled supports 150 further comprise a hammock ring 300. A terminal rope 310 of the hammock bed 130 can be fed through the hammock ring 300 and thereby secure the hammock bed 130 thereto. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand how to secure a hammock bed 130 to a hammock support structure through the use of such a hammock ring 300.

A collapsible umbrella 320 is removably secured to one of the angled supports 150. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1, the collapsible umbrella 320 comprises a segmented square cross section. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 2, the collapsible umbrella 320 comprises a hexagonal cross-section. The square segmented cross-section and the hexagonal cross-section provide different coverage areas and different shade characteristics as well as different folding profiles. The present invention is not limited to these cross-sections, although these cross-sections are used in the preferred embodiments. In the shown embodiment, a distal end 330 of one of the pair of angled supports 150 further comprises an umbrella support ring 340. The umbrella support ring 340 is sized and shaped to receive a shaft 350 of the collapsible umbrella 320 therethrough. In alternate embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1., the shaft 350 of the collapsible umbrella 320 is removably received within one of the hollow angled supports 150. In this manner, a length of the shaft 350 can be secured within the angled support 150, thereby providing more stability not just to the collapsible umbrella such that it does not rotate within an umbrella support ring 340, but also providing strength and stability to the angled support 150 itself. In one embodiment, the angled support 150 is hollowed throughout to provide a channel into which a large portion of the shaft 350 can be received.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly in a folded position disposed on a user's back. In one embodiment, at least one shoulder strap 400 is disposed on the hammock frame 110. In the shown embodiment, two shoulder straps 400 are disposed on a pair of support legs 170, spaced shoulder-width apart. Further, in the shown embodiment, the shoulder straps 400 are slidably disposed on the support legs 170, such that they are adjustable to a width of the user's shoulders in order to provide a selectively adjustable and comfortable fit. In the shown embodiment, the shoulder straps 400 comprise a pair of loops. The pair of loops includes a small loop 410 wherein a diameter of the small loop 410 is sized to fit over the exterior of the support leg 170, and a large loop 420 wherein a diameter of the large loop 420 is sized to fit over and around the shoulders 430 of the user. In this manner, when the hammock frame 110 is in a collapsed configuration, the user can secure the hammock frame 110 about their shoulders 430 and transport the hammock frame 110 hands-free.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly, comprising: a hammock frame and an umbrella; the hammock frame comprising a horizontal support connected to a pair of angled supports, at least one cross-brace, and a plurality of support legs; wherein the horizontal support and the pair of angled supports each further comprise a hinge at a midpoint thereof; wherein the cross-brace further comprises a plurality of hinges; a distal end of one of the pair of angled supports further comprising an umbrella support ring; and wherein the umbrella support ring is sized and shaped to receive a shaft of an umbrella therethrough. 2) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, wherein the horizontal support is secured to the cross-brace by at least one quick release mechanism. 3) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of angled supports each are secured to the cross-brace by at least one quick release mechanism. 4) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-brace comprises a pair of support rails, wherein each of the support rails are pivotally connected to a cross-brace bracket. 5) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of support junctions. 6) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the pair of support junctions is configured to removably receive at least one end of the plurality of support legs, at least one end of the horizontal support, and at least one end of the angled supports therein. 7) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of angled supports includes a cross-brace receptacle. 8) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 7, wherein the cross-brace receptacle is configured to receive a terminal end of the cross-brace therein. 9) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, wherein the umbrella comprises a hexagonal cross-section. 10) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, wherein the umbrella comprises a square cross-section. 11) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of angled supports further comprise a hammock ring, wherein a terminal rope of a hammock bed can be secured through the hammock ring. 12) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 1, wherein the hammock frame is tubular. 13) A collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly, comprising: a hammock frame comprising a horizontal support connected to at least two support legs, at least two angled supports, and a pair of cross-braces; wherein the horizontal support is disposed on a horizontal axis and the at least two angled supports are disposed on a vertical axis; the pair of cross-braces configured to connect a middle portion of the horizontal support to a middle portion of the angled supports; a collapsible umbrella that is removably secured to one of the angled supports; wherein the at least two angled supports are adapted to collapse inwardly toward each other; wherein the at least two support legs are disposed on a horizontal axis of the angled supports, such that each support leg of the at least two support legs is oriented horizontally orthogonal to the horizontal support and vertically orthogonal to the at least two angled supports; wherein the at least two support legs are configured to collapse against the at least two angled supports. 14) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 13, further comprising at least one shoulder strap disposed on the hammock frame. 15) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 13, wherein the device is configured to be collapsed for transport when in a folded configuration and expanded into a deployed position. 16) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 13, wherein a hammock bed is removably securable to the hammock frame. 17) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 13, wherein the angled supports are hollow. 18) The collapsible hammock and umbrella assembly of claim 17, wherein a shaft of the umbrella is removably received within one of the hollow angled supports. 